DOL Announces Final Rule to Help Diversify Workforce
The goal is to broaden career opportunities in registered apprenticeships for under-represented groups
The Department of Labor has issued a final rule that updates equal opportunity requirements, hoping to broaden career opportunities in apprenticeships for under-represented groups.
More specifically, the rule extends protections against discrimination to include age, disability, genetic information and sexual orientation. It also simplifies the process of ensuring compliance.
“The final rule issued today adjusts existing regulations to streamline and clarify requirements for employers wherever possible. It extends protections against discrimination in apprentice hiring, better defines steps needed to ensure equal opportunity and provides apprenticeship programs with additional time to develop initial affirmative action programs,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Portia Wu. “The department continues to look for ways to help states strengthen their workforce. This rule provides a more flexible framework for them, and creates more opportunities for workers and employers to take advantage of modern apprenticeships.”
The follows a $90 million campaign from April 2016 to diversify apprenticeships, as well as a $175 million investment in September 2015 for apprenticeships.